homiletics

[skinem]

homiletics

Pronunciation: \-tiks\
Function: noun plural but singular in construction
Date: 1830
: the art of preaching

hom·i·let·ic (hm-ltk) also hom·i·let·i·cal (--kl)

ADJECTIVE:

Relating to or of the nature of a homily.
Relating to homiletics.

ETYMOLOGY:
Late Latin homlticus, from Greek homltikos, of conversation, from homltos, conversation, from homlein, to converse with, from homlos, crowd ; see homily

OTHER FORMS:
homi·leti·cal·ly (Adverb)

So the word meaning the "art of preaching" comes from a word meaning "to converse with" or "of conversation".

Quite different meaning from the usual "preaching at..."

Curious as to how (or who) the word came about in that usage in 1830.

[gailr]

A cleric giving a homily projects a different message than one giving a sermon. It is one of life's little ironies that sermonizing and apologetics go so well together...

AHD says for homily itself:

NOUN: 1. A sermon, especially one intended to edify a congregation on a practical matter and not intended to be a theological discourse. 2. A tedious moralizing lecture or admonition. 3. An inspirational saying or platitude.

Another word whose meanings are not entirely homogeneous.


-gailr
watching to see if Brother Skinem passes the plate...